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Coach Greg Schiano said Jackson, who missed a portion of Wednesday's practice with a hamstring issue, split time between working with trainers and working on the field. Schiano said Jackson's availability might not be known until just before Sunday's game against the Bills.

"When you have a leg injury and you're a receiver, your legs are your life," Schiano said. "You've got to be able to run. Vincent is a pro. He'll know if he can do it or not. So it will be up to him."

The Bucs already are without WR Mike Williams (season-ending hamstring surgery). Jackson leads them in catches (61, 25 more than TE Tim Wright), yards (963, 580 more than Wright) and touchdowns (five, two more than WR Tiquan Underwood).

Schiano said if Jackson is out, it will be all receivers "on deck" for Sunday.

GOING DARK: CB Darrelle Revis said he was briefly knocked out on the play that forced him to leave Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Revis said he banged his head on the ground after nearly intercepting a Cam Newton pass near the sideline. But Revis said he passed all of the required concussion-related tests before practicing Wednesday and Thursday and expects to play Sunday.

"They're saying I got knocked out for a second and came back," Revis said. "I'm fine, though."

Revis also bruised his chest and shoulder on the play and said both still bother him a little bit. The good news is the groin injury that hampered him in recent weeks is no longer a factor.

HEAT WAVE: With temperatures near a record high of 82 degrees Thursday, the Bucs spilled some sweat as their scout team offense simulated the Bills' uptempo attack. The forecast Sunday calls for 80 degrees and no chance of rain, which might create a homefield advantage.

Today's weather in Buffalo is forecast for snow showers and 35 degrees.

Revis, who recalled coming down to Miami while with the Jets, said the heat can have a big impact on a visiting team.

"The whole week, I remember coaches were telling us to hydrate as much as we can and make sure we get our rest because this weather down here is a beast," he said. "It's a monster, and it can sneak up on you very fast. And next thing you know, guys are getting IVs, guys are cramping."

Schiano said when he was at Rutgers, they practiced in their indoor facility and turned up the heat on weeks they played in warmer temperatures. He figures the Bills will do the same.

"I think it's to our advantage," Revis said. "And when we see them guys gasping for air, that'll be the reason why."

QUOTE TO NOTE: DE Da'Quan Bowers, a unanimous All-American at Clemson and a second-round pick, knows NFL success isn't guaranteed. He has five sacks in three seasons spanning 37 games.

"As far as being a college player at your best, the All-American status, the unanimous this and that, you're probably an average NFL player," he said. "At this level, it's times 10. So if you work hard in college, you have to work 10 times as hard to be good at this level.

"Everybody is an elite athlete. Everybody is here for a reason, so you have to put in the work. It's not going to come overnight."

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.